Womens Hockey Pairs Up With Team Impact

Jan 07, 2013

BOSTON, Mass.—Emily Rose Davis might be the youngest member of the UMass Boston women's hockey team, but she's fitting in just fine after being drafted by the Beacons.

This year, UMass Boston has partnered with Team IMPACT, a nonprofit group that aims to improve the quality of life for children with serious illnesses by matching them to team-based sports. Emily is the fourth member of Team IMPACT to join one of the teams on campus this year.

The 12 year-old South Boston resident was born with Neurofibromatosis, an illness that causes tumors to grow internally and externally throughout the body.

She joined the team January 2 at an official drafting ceremony held on campus with the entire women's hockey team. At the party, Emily signed a contract with the team and received a jersey with number 3--her favorite number.

Two days later, she dropped the puck before the 6th Annual Codfish Bowl Championship game between the Beacons and Lake Forest College.

"I think we are extremely lucky to have Emily as a member of our team," head coach Colleen Harris said. "The girls are looking forward to spending time with Emily and getting to know her. I think the impact that Emily will have on the players and staff is something that each of us will carry with us throughout the rest of our lives and hopefully we can have that same impact on Emily."

Already Emily has bonded with the team by playing Wii Just Dance Disney Edition with them; her new teammates are excited about teaching Emily how to skate.

The other TEAM IMPACT members partnered with UMass Boston this season are Will Lacey (men's hockey), Jake Parker (baseball), and Terry Agnant (men's basketball). To learn more about them, click here.